She is Amazing

It's easy to sometimes think Samantha is doing something new, progressing on some level, but then talk ourselves out of the idea. I'm not sure why we do that. Perhaps it's because we have decided to more fully believe others who are filled with doubts regarding Sammy's future than our own paternal instincts and, frankly, knowledge. I see her doing great and amazing things that sometimes she doesn't repeat for months down the road. But still, I know what I see, or hear. I know what I know. But still, I sometimes think to myself, "Oh, that was just an accident. She didn't mean to do that." Why? Why do I do that? Shouldn't I always assume that she did, in fact, mean to do that? As her mother and as her advocate, I should be the one, even if I'm the only one, who is cheering her on and giving her credit for every single little thing she accomplishes. I am always cheering her on, but it's only most of the time that I, myself, truly believe what I see. That makes me sad. And everyday I try to have more faith in her abilities. It's really not as bad as it sounds, I don't think. I believe Samantha is quite capable of a lot more than what she is currently doing, and I believe that we will continue to see miracles with this girl. Just sometimes, I guess I have felt like I have to assume the worst...assume that she isn't doing things with purpose. I feel a lot of pressure to not assume my child is greater than she is. Isn't that just wrong?! I mean, really. Mothers should never feel pressure to think their child is anything than what they are. And quite frankly, I believe that each child is more amazing than we realize. So, mothers, and fathers, think your kids are amazing -- because they are.

With that said -- wow, guess I had to get something off my chest, eh? -- Samantha has had a great week. It's been really fun. First of all, drinking the Capri Sun (which is funny because I actually just typed Crapi Sun...oops) was a really cool thing to witness for 2 reasons. #1 -- Samantha is definitely starting to show her likes and dislikes more. I like seeing that, and it's a huge developmental accomplishment when one can clearly demonstrate what he/she likes or dislikes. So, yippee for you Sammy. And even better is #2 -- I didn't know Samantha could drink out of a straw. For a long time we worked on it. She got it, kind of. And, I gave up. I thought, she can drink out of her Avent cup, that's good enough for now. About 1 year later, with no exposure to straws, she, on her own, understood to suck out of the straw to get to that really yummy sugary juice! Now, that was exciting for me.

Also this week, we've had some improvements with her language. We haven't had speech therapy since we left Spokane, and this has been really bothersome to me. Samantha gets it in school, but I don't think it's nearly enough. Back in Spokane we not only had the best SLP -- oh Carly how we love you -- but Sammy was meeting with her twice a week. Now, nothing. It's frustrating to me, so we continue to do what we can at home. I've been working on "more" a lot with her. It was a few weeks ago now when I was giving her pretzels in the car and she said "mo." That was exciting stuff. But since then, we've been able to get some "mo" out of her from time to time. And even better, there is a strong distinction between her "mo" and "no." It definitely takes the right motivation. And once again, Capri Sun has pulled through. Sammy was drinking the Capri Sun, took a break and starting jumping in excitement -- or sugar rush, not sure which. We laughed and I asked "Sammy, do you want more?" She stopped jumping and said, "Mooo." So, mo' she got. Peggy was walking down the hall and I called her in so she could witness it. "Sammy, do you want mo?" Samantha stopped, and clearly said "no." As she did so, she took her hand it swept it to the side, like she does when she no longer wants food at any given meal. But still, we asked again, and she said "nnnoooo." It was so clear. So purposeful.

Our little Samantha clearly knows what she wants, and she is finally starting to be able to let us know. In this moment, I couldn't be happier!

Capri Sun

In an attempt to get Callie to go to the bathroom more frequently (potty-training ya know), I went out and bought Capri Sun. She loves it. And it turns out she's not the only one. This is just a really short clip because the camera ran out of memory, but you can actually hear her gulping it down. Pretty cute. (The screen is appearing black. Don't be fooled. Hit the play button and the picture will appear and you can see the short video.)

Potty Training Update

Ahhh this picture makes me laugh.

Well, we've had many an accident, but tonight, something happened. Callie was off playing, then came over to me from another room and said, "Pee." I was pretty sure this had meant she had already peed her pants. But no. She was informing me that she had to go...and go in the potty she did. One victory for the day. We'll see how tomorrow goes.

And as a side note: I love seeing Callie walking around in her little underwear. She's so cute.

She Makes Me Smile

Oh Sammy is so funny. Whenever friends and family are around Samantha, they worry that she's going to fall and hurt herself. We are just used to how she moves that we don't think twice about it. Amidst all her stumbling, she has never hurt herself...or if she has, it wasn't enough to be noteworthy. Yesterday I was watching Sammy in the entry way. She was just enjoying herself walking around in circles and picking up shoes...and I saw her objectively. Yes. This is why people are nervous around her...and it made me smile.

Married to a Doctor

Only recent picture I have on file on this computer -- here we are taking Flat Stanley (nephew's 3rd grade project) to see Avatar in 3D.

Though I can't recall all the details, I know I had a list of things I wanted out of life. I'm pretty sure I have it somewhere because I've been given the assignment to make a list like this several times in Young Women and a couple times in school. So, I know a list exists. I can't remember the details because honestly, I never really took the assignment all that seriously. I already knew, basically, what I wanted, and I didn't see the need to write it over and over and over again. But I'm pretty sure, on one of those lists, I wanted to marry a doctor. I mean, isn't that an essential on most dream-filled girl's wish-list?

I've since, as mentioned, lost track of those lists. I went to school, served a mission, graduated from school, met and married Marcus, taught high school, had a baby, had another baby, preparing for baby #3, moved many times -- and all the while, Marcus was working on school. I've been very happy and blessed in my life.

But, today...today at 12:00pm all my dreams came true. I am officially married to a doctor. Oh my heart twitters a little faster every time I hear Marcus' voice or I think..."Dr. Green." ooooo ahhhh

No, but really. Today Marcus is in Utah. He went down to BYU to defend his dissertation that he's been working on for the past 5 years. And he passed. And that does make him Dr. Green. And, it makes it possible for him to start looking for a job within his field -- a job where the word "salary" is included in the job description. That's exciting. And it's also really exciting knowing that all this work that Marcus has put into this has paid off. He is finished. All the stress, sleepless nights, hours of reading, typing, researching...it's all over. I am so proud of him. Doctor or not, I love this guy a whooooole bunch, and I'm really excited for him to come home.

Congratulations Marcus!
I always knew you could do it! I love you!

Gross Smell = Trapped Dead Animal

A couple weeks ago now, I began to smell something unpleasant in the bathroom. I was afraid it was because I had left a wet diaper in the garbage can and was feeling rather embarrassed that I had caused the smell. We promptly took out the trash. But the smell continued to get worse each day. We couldn't place it. Finally, after about a week, we put some of our background experiences together and were able to place it as a dead animal. Gross. I mean, GROSS. Trapped under the house...dead...decaying. That's nasty. But what can you do?

The smell got worse. The putrid hours turned into days. Febreeze, Glade, and scented candles could do nothing to abate the horror. One day, Marcus came home and said, "I'm going in. I've got to get rid of whatever it is under there." (What a brave soul.) Scotty was with Marcus and willingly offered to help. (What another brave soul...because there's no way in Hades that I'd be going under the house to find a dead animal. No sir-ee.) For details on the extraction, check out Scott's post on their blog. He goes into detail.

Our fears were confirmed...a possum lay dead (not playing dead)...barely beginning the decay process. This smell would have been HORRIFIC within a week. I can't imagine. It was roughly the size of Callie from head to tip of tail. I get the heebie jeebies thinking of it. I'm sorry for the fate of that animal, but am so grateful that it's now able to peacefully decay on it's own in the field behind the house.

Today

This week, Marcus is out of town and Samantha is on her mid-winter break. So, what am I going to do? Well, there are 2 focuses that I have for the week, and I've officially started today.

1) Eat healthier. So far so good.

2) Potty train Callie. I figure there's no better time for it. We'll be home, no running Sammy to school and appointments...so I can pump Callie with fluids and stick on her on the pot every 1/2 hour. That was the plan...but I'm hitting about 50%. Oh well. She's been kind of potty training herself for months now...about 6 or 7 months now...but we never wanted to commit to taking the next step and doing full out potty training. Well, now it's time. And we'll just have to see how this goes.